Oct. 28: The Red Sox have announced the hiring via press release.
“We believe Chaim is exactly the right person to lead the Boston Red Sox baseball operation based on a number of attributes we sought in this process,” owner John Henry said in a statement. “We had done exhaustive work narrowing down candidates. That work led us to Chaim, who was the first executive invited to Boston for an interview. He made a strong impression on all of us and validated our initial research that he was the one to lead our baseball operation.
“We particularly want to thank Raquel Ferreira, Brian O’Halloran, Eddie Romero and Zack Scott for their extraordinary leadership over the past two months in guiding our baseball operation forward without missing a beat and ensuring we had a very strong start to this offseason.”
Oct. 25, 4:54pm: Brian O’Halloran will be promoted from assistant general manager to general manager, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (Twitter link).
4:01pm: The Red Sox have “finalized” an agreement to bring aboard Chaim Bloom as their next baseball operations chief, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter). Bloom will take the title of chief baseball officer, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com tweeted. Financial details remain to be seen.
It’s a fascinating hire for the Boston organization, which cut loose veteran exec Dave Dombrowski late in a disappointing 2019 season. Though Dombrowski helped deliver a World Series title, ownership decided it wanted a new direction — and went on to steer into a decidedly new-school course by hiring Bloom.
The Red Sox certainly got an up-close look at Bloom’s handiwork with the Rays. His Tampa Bay outfit ran past the 2018 World Series champs, pacing them by a dozen games despite carrying a payroll into the season that was barely more than a quarter of the war chest deployed by the Sox.
Boston’s last run with an analytically minded front-office leader didn’t end quite as hoped, with the Ben Cherington-built rosters delivering gloom as much as glory. But the allure is obvious. One of Bloom’s predecessors in Tampa Bay, Andrew Friedman, has since moving to Los Angeles shown convincingly that an efficiently managed large budget can produce perennial high-end performance at a profit-minded price.
It was a rather tidy hiring process for the Red Sox, who trusted a four-person executive team with many notable decisions this winter while lining up Bloom for the job. No doubt the organization already knew at least its general direction with the hiring. Bloom long seemed a clear possibility, particularly after narrowly missing on a few top baseball ops gigs last winter. The 36-year-old comes with an impeccable resume and widespread respect in the industry. Interestingly, he was the only outside candidate to interview for the post, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (via Twitter).
Bloom will jump into an organization that already has a built-out, modern front office infrastructure. No doubt he’ll tweak the organization to suit his preferences, but this isn’t a fixer-upper situation. That’s also the case on the roster, which features the sort of talent that … well, the kind that won a World Series just one year ago.
There’ll be plenty of work to do for Bloom and his new charges, right out of the gates. He’s not going to blow things up or drop the bottom out of the payroll. But there are plenty of clear signs that the organization will task the new baseball ops head with paring salary — which means making some tough choices about who stays and who goes.
One big question will be answered without input from Bloom and the Sox: the status of J.D. Martinez, who can opt out of his contract. Good as he is, the club surely would love to regain a whole lot of financial flexibility in one fell swoop. Otherwise, Bloom will need to look hard to some of its spendier pieces — Jackie Bradley Jr., perhaps even Mookie Betts — as trade candidates.
It doesn’t appear that Bloom will have much free capital to work with to add talent. But that’s precisely the challenge he was brought in to take on. Bloom will be working to fill needs — on the right side of the infield and in the bullpen, at a minimum — in a creative manner. Fortunately, there are loads of veteran free agent options in both areas, many of whom figure to be had for relatively low cost. And Bloom will no doubt take a long look at other cost-efficient possibilities. If he does a particularly good job of supplementing an immensely talented core that could still rise back up, a return to serious contention in 2020 cannot be ruled out.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
they got themselves a good one
probably one of the best available options – if not the best
irobot
Mets should have hired him a year ago but the Wilpons
Or he just didn’t want to be there.
Welcome to the NATION Bloom.
Bloomshakalaka! Love it.
Looks…Irish
Your point being?
Should’ve applied for the Celtics.
I’m pretty sure he’s Jewish.
Doesn’t Ireland have more Jews than Israel?
He is a great hire for Boston. They need someone to make their payroll more efficient. Less money spent on underperforming players. David is right. If the Wilpon bros had more than 3 brain cells to rub together between the two of them they would have hired someone like this rather than someone who would trade good prospects for the right to pay 35 year old Robinson Canon well over $100 million. I think this guy is gonna be real good for Boston. Am I the only one that thinks he kinda looks like a bug-eyed test tube baby version of Superman though? I know that sounds kinda rude but there is a definite compliment in there as well. He does look a bit like SuperMan and that can’t be a bad thing.
Good choice. It will be interesting to see how he handles Boston.
Where did all the previous comments go? There must be about 20 or 30 missing comments. Censorship? What?
If you scroll down you will see the original Chaim Bloom story about 6 stories down. So, no, there is no censorship. Calm down.
Thanks.
It would really be helpful to have some concrete examples of how Bloom’s work contributed to Tampa’s success. Then we could really evaluate the hire. Otherwise aren’t we left “imagining” and “presuming,” as previous, deleted comments stated, that he was the lynchpin?
Now this I agree with, it’s all hear say. Bloom wasn’t even the highest executive in Tampa there is no promise he’s really good
I have a good feeling about this guy. He is “new school” without giving up the best parts of “old school.”
“One big question will be answered without input from Bloom and the Sox: the status of J.D. Martinez, who can opt out of his contract. Good as he is, the club surely would love to regain a whole lot of financial flexibility in one fell swoop.”
Once again, if that is the way the actual GM’s view J.D. Martinez and his contract, then you can completely forget about him opting out. You will never find a player who opts out when his team “would love” to shed him and his contract.
So Raquel F. is a bridesmaid again…..
Not necessarily. Bloom might have an “Executive VP”, or something like it, type of title. That would leave room for Raquel to be the “operational” GM.
I’ve said before, John Henry loves being a groundbreaker. And a woman GM would definitely sell in Boston.
O Halloran is the GM now
It’s hard to discern where, among the Silverman-Bloom-Neander trio, Bloom actually landed; maybe he was the middle guy, between business and baseball ops?
One thing he’ll have to improve is his interviewing skills. He was on a few times with the Mad Dog and had a discernable “deer in the headlights” look…..that ain’t gonna sell in Boston; one thing DD had in spades was the ability to relate to the press. And that’s a lot more needed in Boston than in Tampa. Bloom may not like that every time he farts, 3 sports writers are there to smell it.
Great move. I think Boston’s long term outlook is looking very good.
I’m not going to be surprised if some people tell the Red Sox to fire him once he gets them to 5th place next season.
5th place is almost impossible.
We don’t know what his style is. Very questionable on my part.
But 4th is very possible.
4th is still pretty unlikely. Unless the RS trade for nothing but kids, we’ll likely win 90.
Dont drink the bong water, please.
He’s just trying to get you Boston fans going. LOL
If he tries to implement the same approach used in TB, it will not fly in Boston. NE fans demand instant success and unlimited spending on top free agents because that is what they have come to expect. The owners are talking about a new game plan and this hire reflects that, but it will be interesting to see how the fan base reacts to any major changes that may be on the horizon.
I think the RS fans were fine when we let all those FAs walk after 2004, and after we traded everyone after 2011. True BB fans know it isn’t always prom night.
He can’t implement everything by next year as some contracts are not movable.
You’re talking Evil Empire M.O. and you’re right, Boston has taken it on with a vengeance. It will be interesting to see where they go as they attempt to pull back spending to get under the luxury cap. I doubt they go back all the way to $208M though.
I’m guessing this hire is a clear indication that the Red Sox are going under the 208 million lux tax cap and reset.
Bloom seems like a great guy to rebuild the farm and move towards a consistent contender. The real question if he will be able to go for it when the time comes to go for it. One thing you have to give DD he is the right guy to go for it when you are in the right position.
Yes. He’ll get the team under the threshold but then will he spend smartly or not spend at all? He’s never been able to freely spend.
Once he gets under the cap will he be allowed to spend only to surpass it again? It’s tough to see where they’re headed.
I agree Dewey and Mo will be interesting to see what happens. I’m guessing JDM opts out and they trade JBJ that gets them under. What I’m really interested to see is what he does if things go right for Boston and all the players who underperformed perform next year and the Sox are in the heat of it at the trade deadline that will be where a GM earns his chops.
What you said Bruin = 2013 if things go right or 2014 perhaps if they don’t
Why can’t you “go for it’ without getting fleeced?
Add over priced FA’s to be the trade deadline, when you’re in it, and don’t resign them.
Sound like a plan?
It’s an exciting hire for Boston, he has a big hill ahead of him tho. What does he do this offseason and for 2020? Shed some contracts? Implement some scouting and draft strategies, have a good draft, realistically aim for 2022 contention?
Should’ve hired Chaim Witz….
2020 Champs!
Great move. I’m very happy to hear this news confirmed.
Tampa executives deserve Boston’s respect.
The Price, Sale & Pedroia contracts are going to be anchors around this team for quite some time….. Aren’t they still paying Pablo Sandoval and Rusney Castillo as well?
Yes but it is what it is and you have to go forward with the right plan to win another WS. Don’t see the logic in thinking they can never win it for a while just because of past over spending and a depleted minor league. Lets see what the man can do going forward.
Sandoval on 5M buyout, Castillo doesn’t count and ends next year and Pedroia ends after 2021
Because the buyout was triggered when he was released, doesn’t he come off the books as far as aav for CBT calculations? I vaguely recall hearing that somewhere but cannot say where for the life of me.
Just another example of the wealthy poaching from the small market teams.
Players are not the only employees who respond to the money.
That’s how they got wealthy and they stay wealthy.
Did I miss something or isn’t that how the world has always worked?
The big fish eat the little fish.
Are you saying “YOU” don’t respond to money?
SG leave me out of it because I may or may not be representative as I have not chased it.
But you are correct in your view of many in this country.The problem is in baseball is that that playing field eliminates fully one third of the teams in any meaningful competition for the ultimate prize unlike other sports.
Red Sox have given far more than their share of staff/execs to other teams as managers, gms and ops.
Nothing about poaching here, all about free movement to advance career/positions
But teams like the Red Sox can easily attract the best replacements and quickly so they are never really at a disadvantage.
Depends what you mean by that. The guy from the Twins declined to be interviewed.
Hazen also pushed forward an extension rather than throw his hat in and he worked for the sox for a long time.
I think there’s as many downsides as upsides to working with a big team like LA/BOS/NYY/ETC. You get more money to work with, but, a much shorter leash, less room to experiment and try new things, and definitely higher pressure/expectations. Those things all factor in
ASF-That all is true.But the best candidates are willing to take the chance because they respond to challenges.
Even if they eventually lose their job they will have the experience that would bode well for interviewing for other similiar team openings.
Is it just about cutting cost or winning a title?
If costs are going to get cut will they pass it on to the fans or will I still have to pay 100. a ticket then the parking fees, 10 a beer, 10 bucks a hotdog. Instead of cutting salaries of players cut the costs to fans
the cost to fans will NEVER drop…they charge ridiculous prices because people still pay them…sure it hurts the average joe who can’t afford those prices but its a business so it’s about making money…
Once upon a time, Boston supported two baseball teams and New York supported three baseball teams. Meanwhile, Chicago continues to support two baseball teams. Imagine if Chicago has one team move away while New York and Boston had their teams stay there instead of moving away? How many championships would the remaining baseball team in Chicago be able to BUY? Who knows for sure. They sure would have an advantage. There are great baseball towns around the country who have had teams for a long time. There are newcomers, some do well, some not so much. But New York and Boston do have an advantage. That said, you still have to get it right and perform well so that you can have an income advantage over other teams.
Lol mets
This was always their target, not Mike Hazen. Hazen managed to turn D’backs fans and media irrational fears into an extension without having delivered anything beyond a playoff birth with his predecessor’s roster. Gotta hand it to him. He’s been great at turning mediocrity into perceived greatness! There is real skill in that.
Say what you will about the Rays organization but then look around at how many teams have hired their resources.
They do more with less than any other team.
It will be interesting to see how this loss affects the Rays.
Looks like Jeff Goldbloom
Sure he’s not an alien?
Wasn’t this guy on Leave it to Beaver???
Receptionist- Mr. Bloom, Billy Eppler is on line 1
Bloom-Good Day William. And how is my favorite GM in Beautiful SoCal?
Eppler-Very well Chaim thank you. I’m calling in regards in our interest Mookie Betts. Joe Maddon and myself were thinking we could part with Fletcher and one of our top 3 prospects as a starting point.
Bloom- Wow William that’s a excellent starting point. Something I would be interested in..
Eppler-Very Good. I will email a list of potential prospects that we would be available in moving.
Bloom-Most excellent William. BTW I’m headed out to Los Angeles next week. Let’s do lunch in Newport and talk about this further. I envy you William. You have the best player in Trout. A great new hire in Maddon as your manager Playing all your home games in the best weather. Ahhhh it doesn’t get any better than that.. I’m sure the Angels will be playing October baseball in 2020.
Eppler-Haha ha that’s the plan. Very good. You have my number. Take Care.
Bloom-Have a blessed day my friend.
Bloom-Margie block all further calls from Billy Eppler. The Audacity of that twerp trying to steal Betts from me. Ill teach him a thing or 2.
Clearly Henry is setting the team up to be sold.
Henry needs to make up his mind. Clearly hiring DD he was expecting him to go big and he did exactly that. Won them the World Series in 2018. He doesn’t even get through the next year? Pick a path
No details about what his contract with the Sox is… ???
Rays GM Neander has just stated that Bloom will not be taking any Rays Front Office Personnel with him so he will be on his own initially in Boston.